Last weekend was very busy! It really seemed like it was just one thing after another! I know that’s not unusual for many of us…but for my own sanity, I do try to space things out–if at all possible–so that life isn’t a constant rush! But on occasion everything comes on us at once and you just have to deal! So after my adventures on the road at the yard sales…it was my son’s birthday! And with so much going on this year, we decided to keep it simple! With family here already I thought we might try our outdoor movie projector for the first time! A Christmas present to both the boys, this projector has been waiting a long time to light up the night…but a rainy start to summer and kids at camps have left the poor thing unused–until now! Without much time to prepare for the evening, I still wanted to share how easy it was to pull off a no-frills movie under the stars! And even though our projector can’t compare to the quality of expensive models or to the television…it’s slightly grainy version was still a delight and got me motivated to have many more evenings like that one!
snuggle in for movie under the stars…
i love to put on a party…but in all reality, i don’t always have the time to add all the frills and details that i envision in my head! but i’ve learned over the years that i can’t necessarily wait until i have what i need to make my event look how my brain sees it! if i did that…think of all the gatherings and special moments that would be wasted! i’m not saying that party planning is frivolous–these are the things that make special occasions…well, special! but never let the fact that you can’t make your gathering look like it was posted on pinterest keep you from having it! so let me share our perfectly imperfect evening…starting with merely moving my outdoor coffee table to the yard for enjoying cake and nibbles closer to the screen…
a mismatched bunch of stools and camping chairs were the perfect size! and a rug, blankets, and pillows snatched from the patio chairs made a wonderful and cozy place to stretch out on the grass!
the backside of the blue blanket is waterproof…nice to keep the evening dampness from soaking through!
now for viewing…i actually had to search for a white sheet! the only one i could find was this vintage one…that judging by the way it is sewn, might even be a dust ruffle! but no matter–it’s white and it’s flat! the bricks had some old nails sticking out so we used those and some clothespins to hang the center portion of the sheet. some packing tape and push pins held the remainder of the top and the sides in place! not beautiful…but functional!
the crate (purchased at the endless sales) was just right to set the projector on…and the DVD player fit in the opening! honestly any stool or low table would have worked…this just happened to be sitting out after unloading the truck!
a stool from the kitchen held a jar of lemonade so cool refreshments were close by! and no matter that the paper cups don’t quite match the dispenser…the green is what i had–so that’s what i used! i really don’t like to use breakable glasses outside…especially in the dark and when kids are involved–not a good mix for glassware!
and anyone who knows me well could tell you i can’t have an outdoor anything without a fire in the pit! my dad wins the award for creating this blazing beauty!
minor movie adjustments before the lights go off…
some cake and movie munchies…
line up the chairs…and get ready for some movie fun! looks dark enough to begin…
and even though Meryl Streep was not the star of the birthday movie…(it just happened to be in the player when we set up!) it did inspire a “date night”! i got to enjoy a movie under the stars the following evening with my hubby, a glass of wine, and one of my favorite flicks–Julie & Julia! (next time i’ll probably have to let my husband pick!)
so our little impromptu “movie under the stars” celebration was thrown together…but together we were–and that’s the best part! and not only that…i got to do it twice!
perfectly imperfect…